Though this is by no means the last word on the matter, it is, nonetheless, a tremendous interim victory for true freedom of choice, self-determination and the mental and spiritual health of countless children who struggle with sexual confusion.

Permanently trashing this trashy law – which is nothing but a cheap, politically motivated attack on children, families and licensed therapists – is critical. SB 1172 is a thinly veiled attempt to further the radical homosexualist agenda under the cynical guise of protecting other people’s children.

To make matters worse, the law is rooted in junk science. It is, as federal Judge William B. Shubb noted in a previous decision, “based on questionable and scientifically incomplete studies that may not have included minors.”

Judge Shubb was being generous in his assessment.

The critical importance of stopping SB 1172 and similar legislation springing up elsewhere becomes especially clear when one considers that such sexual confusion is frequently caused by sexual molestation at the hands of homosexual pedophiles like Jerry Sandusky (hence the moniker: “Jerry Sandusky laws”).

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for instance, have found that “gay” men are “at least three times more likely to report CSA (childhood sexual abuse).”

Furthermore, the Archives of Sexual Behavior determined in a 2001 study that nearly half of all “gay”-identified men who participated in research were molested by a homosexual pedophile: “46 percent of homosexual men and 22 percent of homosexual women reported having been molested by a person of the same gender. This contrasts to only 7 percent of heterosexual men and 1 percent of heterosexual women reporting having been molested by a person of the same gender.”

The connection between homosexual abuse and “gay identity” is undeniable.

This arbitrary and capricious Sandusky law, which was scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2013, would have banned any counseling to minors seeking to diminish or eliminate unwanted same-sex sexual attractions, behaviors or identity. It would have forced counselors to violate their oath to “do no harm,” compelling them to advise sexually confused children to adopt a “gay identity” they reject.

This is unethical, immoral and, frankly, just plain un-American.

On Wednesday, Liberty Counsel filed its Opening Brief at the 9th Circuit. When the court halted the law from going into effect, it also set an expedited briefing schedule. The state of California will have to file its brief by Jan. 30. After that time, Liberty Counsel will file its Reply Brief, and then oral argument will be scheduled. In the meantime, SB 1172 will remain blocked by the order of the court of appeals.

So, the good news is that, at least for now, sexually confused children can continue working toward the positive change they desire.

“The minors we represent have not and do not want to act on same-sex attractions, nor do they want to engage in such behavior. They are greatly benefiting from counseling,” Mathew D. Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, told the district court during oral argument on the motion for a preliminary injunction. “These minors have struggled with same-sex attraction and have been able to reduce or eliminate the stress and conflict in their lives by receiving counseling that best aligns with their religious and moral values,” said Staver.

The other good news is that, for those who desire it, change is indeed possible. Even homosexual activists will admit as much when they think no one is watching.

As devastating an admission as this is to the larger left’s discredited “born that way” meme, my friend and fellow pro-family advocate Linda Harvey caught both GLSEN and the radical group PLFAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) making an even more shocking confession.

In a recent WND column headlined “LGBT double-talk on ‘change,’” Harvey wrote: “From the 2008 Prideworks conference, here’s a section of one of the handouts, still available online, discussing the Klein scale of sexual attraction:

“‘Klein’s research and the experience of many people indicates that sexual identity can be fluid (at least for some people), and can change from one period of a person’s life to another. A person’s identity may move to a new position on the continuum; that is,

“‘a heterosexual may change to a bisexual or homosexual identity;

“‘a bisexual may change to a homosexual or heterosexual identity;

“‘a homosexual may change to a bisexual or heterosexual identity.’ (Emphasis added)

“Then there’s the GLSEN-backed manual, ‘Tackling Gay Issues in School,’ in use since 1999,” continued Harvey. “Page 45, in a lesson plan for high schoolers and older, says:

“‘In dealing with sexuality, it is important to realize that orientation, behavior and identity are all separate entities and will overlap in different ways for each person. Orientation, behavior and identity may also be fluid over time.’

“So then, what’s the problem with changing from homosexual to heterosexual? Doesn’t sound here as though they believe it’s harmful at all,” Harvey concluded.

Of course it’s not harmful; and they know it.

In fact, it’s quite helpful – perhaps even lifesaving – when one considers, for instance, that, according to the CDC, one-in-five “gay” identified men and adolescents in major American cities will end up infected with HIV/AIDS, and millions more will also contract many other sexually transmitted diseases or suffer drug and alcohol abuse and domestic violence disproportionately associated with the “gay deathstyle.”

So, to borrow loosely from the bag of tired leftist clichés: Homofascists, keep your laws off our kids! Ex-”gays” are here, they’re no longer queer, get used to it!